Separable system for applying compression and thermal treatment

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a separable device for the application of compression and thermal therapy to a patient. A first section includes a reservoir, liquid pump and a thermal exchange system for the application of thermal therapy as well as a dock. The second section of the device includes an air compressor and at least one controller for the application of compression therapy and can be operated independently from the first section. Additionally, the second section may be engaged with a dock of the first section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/342,759 filed Apr. 19, 2010, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by this reference. This application is acontinuation of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/089,161, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by thisreference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for applyingcompression and thermal treatment to a patient. The device is coupled toa therapeutic wrap that is worn by a patient. Generally, the therapeuticwraps are comprised of two fluid-tight chambers. The device is capableof filling one of the fluid-tight chambers of the wrap with a gas andmay fill another fluid-tight chamber with a liquid that is varied intemperature in order to apply thermal and compression therapy to apatient. Such thermal and compression therapy is particularly suited tothe treatment of patients recovering from injury or surgery as well asfor the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis, but may haveother uses as well. The present invention offers patients the ability toutilize thermal therapy in combination with compression therapy, applycompression therapy without the thermal therapy system and maintain arecord of the machine's operation.

Prior to the present invention, patients were forced to choose betweenpurchasing or renting, on one hand, a single inseparable device thatperformed both compression and thermal therapy and, on the other hand,two separate devices, one for the application of compression therapy andthe other for the application of thermal therapy. Each choice hadsignificant drawbacks.

One particular drawback of the single, inseparable devices used in theapplication of compression and thermal therapy is their size and weight.Typically, the device used to supply the compression and thermal therapyincludes a reservoir for holding a liquid, a thermal transfer system forheating and/or cooling a liquid, and a pump for pumping the liquid fromthe device to a wrap worn by a patient. The devices are also equippedwith an air compressor for pumping a gas into a wrap worn by a patient.At least one controller is also provided in the device so that a patientmay control the temperature, pressure, and duration, among other things,of the therapy. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication 2008/0058911 (“the '911 application”) filed on behalf ofParish et al. All of the aforementioned components, as can be seen inthe '911 application, along with batteries for powering the device, addto the significant bulk of the overall device.

It is common practice for patients seeking medical attention to seek adoctor located a significant distance away from the patient's domicile.In such instances, the patient may need to travel between the doctor'slocale and the patient's domicile over the time period where at leastcompression therapy for the treatment and prevention of deep veinthrombosis is desired. With past devices, the patient was required totravel with the entire device, which was heavy and cumbersome as aresult of the reservoir, thermal transfer system, air compressor and thecontroller that controls the fluid pump and air compressor beingcontained in a single, inseparable casing. Consequently, patients had tochoose between traveling with the entire device on their person(particularly difficult when air travel was involved) and missing one ormore therapy sessions. Missing therapy sessions could be very serious,potentially leading to the development of a pulmonary embolism.

The utilization of two separate devices also exhibited a number ofdrawbacks. For example, utilizing two separate devices required eithertwo separate battery chargers, one for the thermal device and anotherfor the compression device, or charging the batteries of the two devicessequentially. Having only one charger subjected the patient to the riskneeding to use both devices, but only being able to charge and use onedevice. Requiring two charges added to the expense of the systems.Additionally, there was no reliable way to keep both the thermal systemand the separate air compression system together because neither deviceconnected to the other. The lack of connection increased the possibilitythat a patient would, when traveling, transport only one of the tworequired machines, or, while at home, misplace or lose one of the twomachines.

A further problem relating to prior art machines is the inability of thepatient (or a technician or other person) to track the operation of themachine. Typically, a doctor will prescribe particular parameters of usefor the machine which the patient is supposed to follow. For example, adoctor may prescribe a patient to use the machine to supply thermaltreatment twice a day and to supply compression treatment four times aday, each for thirty minutes per treatment. However, the prior artmachines lacked the ability to store data relating to the actual timethe machine operated or under what parameters the machine operated (suchas temperature, compressive force and duration), and thus there was noreliable way to determine whether the doctor's prescription for use hadbeen adequately carried out by the patient.

Prior art machines also had the added drawback of control panels thatwere affixed to the machine. That is, the control panel of the machinecould not be removed from the machine without taking apart the machine,which usually requires tools, or without breaking the machine so thatonce removed, the control panel no longer functioned to control themachine. Nor were any of the prior art machines provided with any typeof remote control device. Consequently patients using the machine had toaccess to the control panel located on the machine in order to controlthe operation of the machine. Such access was problematic in that themachines were generally placed on the ground, while the patient would bein a chair, often times subject to limited mobility while the machinewas in use. Thus patients had great difficulty in reaching the controlsof the machine, and often would require the assistance of anotherperson, such as a nurse or caregiver, to change settings on the machineduring use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by physicallyseparating the overall device into two sections, a first section(thermal therapy section) and a second section (an air compressor or“DVT section”, though it is not limited to the treatment of deep veinthrombosis), each of which may be connected to the other. According tothe present invention, at least the DVT section is equipped with acontroller and an air compressor, both of which are housed in a casingthat is separable from another section that includes the thermal therapyelements (the “thermal therapy section”). The controller is capable ofoperating the air compressor in the DVT section without any connectionto the thermal therapy section.

However, both sections may be connected together as well. In theinvention described herein, the thermal therapy section is equipped witha receiving area (a dock or docking station) that accommodates the DVTsection. The docking station can also be equipped with an electricalconnection that connects the controller and/or batteries of the DVTsection to the thermal therapy section. Placing the DVT section in thedocking station can allow the controller to control the entire deviceand/or can allow for power transfer from the thermal therapy section tothe DVT section. For example, the docked controller can control thefluid pump, the thermal transfer system and the air compressor of theDVT section and can recharge its batteries.

Furthermore, the thermal therapy section of the present invention may beequipped with a removable remote control. The remote controlcommunicates with either or both of a controller in the thermal therapysection and the controller in the DVT section. The remote control may bein the form of a removable faceplate control panel on the thermaltherapy device, it may be integrated with the DVT section, or it may bean additional remote control device that utilizes either wireless orwired communication. The faceplate may be mechanically secured to thethermal therapy section and in communication with a controller of thetherapy device and thereby control various operations of the therapydevice while secured, or may be removed from the thermal therapy sectionand used to control various aspects of the therapy device while removed.

Consequently, the patient may utilize the therapy system of the presentinvention in multiple configurations. For example, the DVT section canbe used independently from the thermal therapy section to apply aircompression therapy to a wrap. The DVT section may also be docked withthe thermal therapy section such that the two sections may be used inconjunction with one another to apply both thermal therapy by pumping athermal liquid to a wrap from the thermal therapy section as well asapplying air compression therapy to a wrap from the DVT section.

A further feature of the present invention is a system to provide areliable way to determine whether a doctor's prescription for use hadbeen adequately carried out by the patient. According to the presentinvention, one or more memories for storing data relating to theoperation of the machine are provided. The patient, technician or someother person may thus access the memory and review the operation of themachine to determine whether it had been operating as intended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a separated state and a forward facing orientation.

FIG. 1B is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a separated state and a rear facing orientation.

FIG. 1C is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a docked state and a rear facing orientation.

FIG. 2A is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a separated state and a forward facing orientation, exhibiting asingle control panel.

FIG. 2B is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a separated state and a rear facing orientation, exhibiting a singlecontrol panel.

FIG. 2C is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a docked state and a rear facing orientation, exhibiting a singlecontrol panel.

FIG. 3A is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a separated state and a forward facing orientation, exhibitingmultiple control panels.

FIG. 3B is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a separated state and a rear facing orientation, exhibiting multiplecontrol panels.

FIG. 3C is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a docked state and a rear facing orientation, exhibiting multiplecontrol panels.

FIG. 4A is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a docked state and a forward facing orientation, exhibiting a covereddock.

FIG. 4B is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a docked state and a rear facing orientation, exhibiting a covereddock.

FIG. 4C is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention, shownin a separated state and a rear facing orientation, exhibiting a covereddock.

FIG. 5A is a depiction of an embodiment of the present invention havinga removable faceplate.

FIG. 5B is a depiction of an embodiment of the present invention havingan additional remote control

FIG. 6 is a depiction of the present invention having the exterior ofthe structure of the thermal transfer section removed to show thedocking station of a thermal transfer section and a releasable lockprior to insertion of a DVT section.

FIG. 7 is a depiction of the present invention having the exterior ofthe structure of the thermal transfer section removed to show theelectrical contacts of a thermal transfer section and a releasable lockin addition to the insertion of a DVT section in the docked position.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of the present invention having the exterior ofthe structure of the thermal transfer section removed to show theelectrical contacts of a thermal transfer section and disengagement of areleasable lock to remove of a DVT section.

FIG. 9 is a depiction of the present invention having the exterior ofthe structure of the thermal transfer unit removed to show theelectrical contacts of a thermal transfer section and of a DVT section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Prior Art devices, such as the device disclosed in the '911 application,are generally equipped with a control panel as well as a number ofports. The ports are used to connect one or more therapy wraps to thedevice. Examples of suitable therapy wraps are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,198,093 issued to Elkins, U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,175 issued to Meyeret al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,550 issued to Gildersleeve et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,411,541 issued to Bell et al. and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/798,689, filed Apr. 9, 2010, on behalf of Wilford et al. Some portsmay be used to supply and/or exchange compressed air, while other portsmay be used to supply and/or exchange a thermal liquid. Typically, priorart devices like that of application '911 house within them acontroller, an air compressor, a liquid pump, a reservoir, a thermalexchange system and batteries.

Throughout the specification, wherever practicable, like structures willbe identified by like reference numbers. FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C aredepictions of one embodiment of the present invention. The device ismade up of two sections, a first section, section 100, and a secondsection, section 200. Section 100 contains components necessary forapplying thermal therapy. For example, it includes a reservoir, athermal exchange system and a liquid pump and may include a firstsection air compressor as well. Preferably, the reservoir is orientedbelow any electrical components housed within section 100 such that inthe event of a reservoir failure, liquid from the reservoir will notleak out and drip onto the electrical components. First section ports 23and 24 of section 100 are adapted for supplying and/or exchanging athermal liquid with a therapeutic wrap, and first section port 25 isadapted for supplying and/or exchanging gas with a therapeutic wrap.Preferably, an air compressor included in section 100 is adapted forsupplying a range of compressive force of up to approximately 15millimeters of mercury to a therapeutic wrap (not shown). Section 100further includes a first section controller (not shown) and userinterface first section control panel 20 a. Using the control panel 20a, a user may input commands to the controller of section 100 which inturn transmits the corresponding appropriate control signals to thethermal exchange system, liquid pump and/or air compressor of section100.

Section 200 includes elements necessary for applying compressiontreatment. It is equipped with a second section air compressor, andsecond section ports 22. The ports are adapted to supply and/or exchangeair from the air compressor to a therapeutic wrap (not shown).Preferably the air compressor of section 200 is adapted for supplying arange of compressive force of up to approximately 100 millimeters ofmercury. Section 200 further includes a second section controller (notshown) connected to a second section control panel user interface 20 b.Utilizing the control panel 20 b, a user may input commands to thecontroller of section 200 which in turn transmits the correspondingappropriate control signals to the air compressor of section 200.Control panels 20 a and 20 b may consist of a display and a series ofbuttons or a touch screen, or some combination thereof.

Though both sections 100 and 200 operate independently from one another,it is common for patients to utilize multiple therapeutic wrapssimultaneously and thus utilize section 100 to supply thermal and/orcompression treatment while simultaneously utilizing section 200 tosupply additional compression treatment. To facilitate such dual usage,sections 100 and 200 may be combined together. As shown in FIGS. 1Athrough 1C, section 100 includes a docking station 30. Section 200 is ofa size and shape corresponding to that of docking station 30. Thus, asindicated by arrow 27, section 200 may be inserted into docking station30 (the “docked” position depicted in FIG. 1C) and withdrawn fromdocking station 30. Preferably, when section 200 is docked section 200engages dock 30; that is, in the event that section 100 is caused toalter its orientation when section 200 is docked, section 200 willremain docked within docking station 30, and will not dislodge fromdocking station 30 simply due to the force of gravity. Section 200 mayengage dock 30 by way of one or more resilient clips or snaps, pins orscrews, or even simple friction. The preferred system for engagingsection 200 with docking station 30 is described in further detailherein with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9. Regardless of how section200 engages docking station 30, section 200 and docking station 30 aredesigned such that a user may repeatedly engage and disengage the two.

Furthermore, section 100 may also include a power transfer system, suchas simple electrical contacts (not shown) within docking station 30 andon section 200, for supplying power to section 200. The power transfersystem enables a transfer of power from section 100 to section 200 torecharge a battery of section 200 and/or provide operational power tosection 200. Thus, docking section 200 in docking station 30 allows apatient to utilize section 200 when its battery is depleted and/orrecharge the battery of section 200 for later use.

Each of sections 100 and 200 may further include one or more memories incommunication with the controllers of section 100 and 200 for storingdata, such as data relating to the operation of the device. A patient,technician or other person may access the memories and download thedata. Preferably, the memories included in sections 100 and 200 areremovable memories such as USB flash drives, secure digital (SD) memorycards, MultiMediaCards (MMC) or MS Pro memory sticks. The controllers insections 100 and 200 transmit data corresponding to the operation ofsections 100 and 200 to the memories of sections 100 and 200,respectively. When removable memories are utilized, the removablememories may be removed from the sections 100 and 200 and connected toan external device such as a computer. Thereafter, the data, such as thedata corresponding to the operation of sections 100 and 200, may bedownloaded from memories to the external device.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are depictions of a further embodiment of thepresent invention. Again, the device is made up of two sections, section100 and section 200. Section 100 contains components necessary forapplying thermal therapy while section 200 includes components necessaryfor applying compression therapy. Section 100 also includes a dockingstation 30. However, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2C,docking station 30 is further equipped with an electrical connectionplug 26 a. Electrical connection plug 26 a may be one of any number ofconnections types suitable for the transmission of electrical signalssuch as a USB plug, Firewire, SATA, eSATA, SCSI or other electronicinterface plugs for electrically connecting two devices. Electricalconnection plug 26 a may be either a male or female plug.

As described above, section 100 may also include a power transfersystem, such as simple electrical contacts within docking station 30,for supplying power (as opposed to data signals) to section 200. Itshould be apparent, however, that where an electrical connection plug 26a is of a style that includes power transfer contacts (such as a USBconnection), an additional power transfer system for supplying power isunnecessary.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, section 200 includes acontrol panel 20, an electrical connection plug 26 b, corresponding tothe electrical connection plug 26 a of section 100, and at least oneport 22. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, section 200 is equipped with four ports 22,and it is contemplated that more or less ports could be used. The portor ports of section 200 are connected to the air compressor withinsection 200 and are adapted for the supply and/or exchange of air fromthe compressor to a therapeutic wrap (not shown). Control panel 20 mayconsist of a display and a series of buttons or a touch screen, or somecombination thereof. Section 200 also includes an air compressor (notshown) and a battery (not shown) for supplying power.

Section 200 further includes at least one controller (not shown) whichis electrically connected to the control panel, the air compressor, thebattery and to plug 26 b. The controller is responsible for controllingthe air compressor of section 200. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS.2A through 2C, section 100 does not include any control panel. Instead,all of the elements of section 100 are controlled utilizing controlpanel 20 included in section 200. Thus, the controller of section 200controls not only the air compressor of section 200, but also, whensection 200 is docked with section 100 (as will be explained below), theliquid pump, air compressor and thermal exchange system of section 100,each of which are electrically connected to the plug 26 a.

As shown by arrow 27 in FIGS. 2A and 2B, section 200 may be insertedinto docking station 30. Section 200 slides into the cavity of dockingstation 30 and plugs 26 a and 26 b are connected together. FIG. 2C is agraphical depiction of section 100 and section 200 docked together. Whensection 100 and section 200 are docked together, control panel 20 iselectrically connected to the electrical components of section 200 aswell as to the electrical components of section 100 by virtue of plugs26 a and 26 b being connected together.

Where multiple controllers are utilized, one controller, for example,may be dedicated to the control of the air compressor of section 200 andone or more controllers may be dedicated to the control of the liquidpump and thermal exchange system of section 100. Where multiplecontrollers are utilized, the controller for controlling the aircompressor of section 200 is located within section 200, but thecontroller or controllers for controlling the liquid pump, thermalexchange system and/or other components of section 100 may be locatedwithin either section 100 or section 200.

Because section 200 is equipped with an air compressor, a control paneland at least one controller that controls the air compressor, it iscapable of operating independently of section 100. The control panel 20may be used by a patient to input commands to the controller which thencontrols the operation of the air compressor of section 200 to applycompression therapy to a therapeutic wrap connected to the ports 22.Such a configuration is particularly advantageous where a patient istraveling and only compression therapy is desired because the smallersection 200 can easily be transported by the patient and the bulkysection 100 may be stowed or left behind.

As indicated above, the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A through 2C mayinclude multiple controllers. One or more of those controllers may alsocommunicate with at lest one memory. Preferably the memory is removable.Data, such as data relating to the operation of sections 100 and 200,may be stored on the memory and subsequently downloaded to an externaldevice by a patient, technician or other person.

In FIGS. 3A through 3C another embodiment of the present invention isdepicted where both sections 100 and 200 are supplied with controlpanels, identified by numerals 20 a and 20 b, respectively. As with theembodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1A through 1C, controlpanels 20 a and 20 b may consist of a display and a series of buttons ora touch screen, or some combination thereof and each of sections 100 and200 can work independently from one another.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A through 3C, control panel 20 amay be electrically connected to one or more controllers that controlthe liquid pump, air compressor and thermal exchange system of section100. Similarly, control panel 20 b may be electrically connected to atleast one controller that controls the air compressor of section 200.Thus, when section 100 and section 200 are separated from each other, auser may use control panel 20 a to control the application of thermaltherapy, and/or may use control panel 20 b to control the application ofcompression therapy.

However, as indicated in FIG. 3C, section 200 may also be docked withsection 100, such that the control panel 20 b is electrically connectedto the electrical components of both section 200 and section 100, and/orthe control panel 20 a is electrically connected to the electricalcomponents of section 100 and section 200. With both the controller ofsection 100 and the controller of section 200 being connected to bothcontrol panels 20 a and 20 b, control panel 20 a and/or control panel 20b could be used by a patient to control the application of both thermaltherapy and/or compression therapy. However, it is preferred thatdocking section 200 with section 100 causes the controller of section100 to override the controller of section 200 such that only controlpanel 20 a of section 100 may be used to control the application ofthermal therapy and compression therapy from both sections 100 and 200while the two sections remain docked. Such a configuration would onlyrequire that control panel 20 a be equipped with appropriate userinterface for controlling both thermal therapy and compression therapyfor all ports where control panel 20 b would only require a userinterface for controlling compression therapy from ports 22. It is ofcourse understood that the controller of section 200 could be configuredto override the controller of section 100, and that control panel 20 bcould be equipped with the appropriate interface to control both thermaltherapy and compression therapy from all ports.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3A through 3C, section 100 may alsoinclude a power transfer system, such as simple electrical contactswithin docking station 30, for supplying power (as opposed to datasignals) to section 200. It should be apparent, however, that where anelectrical connection plug 26 a is of a style that includes powertransfer contacts (such as a USB connection), an additional powertransfer system for supplying power is unnecessary.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C depict another embodiment of the present invention.Section 100, shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, is constructed similar tothat described above in relation to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the primarydifference being the style of dock. As shown in FIG. 3A, the cavity ofdocking station 30 allows the control panel 20 b to remain exposed whensection 200 and section 100 are docked. However, as shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, when section 200 is docked with section 100, the control panel20 b is covered by section 100. Thus, the control panel 20 b is obscuredand users are prevented from inputting commands using the control panel20 b. It is not necessary that the control panel 20 b be completelycovered, but rather that it be obscured enough to prevent a user frominputting all of the control commands necessary to operate the presentinvention.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C therefore, whensections 100 and 200 are docked, only control panel 20 a may be used tocontrol the operation of the liquid pump, thermal exchange system andair compressors. The benefit of the configuration depicted in FIGS. 4A,4B and 4C is that there is no confusion on the part of the patient whichcontrol panel should be used when section 100 and section 200 aredocked.

FIG. 5A is a depiction of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention which utilizes a removable faceplate remote control, faceplate20 c. Faceplate 20 c includes all of the controls of 20 a describedpreviously. As shown in FIG. 5A, section 100 includes a faceplate dock40. Faceplate 20 c is of a size and shape corresponding to that offaceplate dock 40. Thus, as indicated by arrow 41, faceplate 20 c may beinserted into faceplate dock 40 (the “docked” position) and withdrawnfrom faceplate dock 40. When faceplate 20 c is docked, faceplate 20 cengages faceplate dock 40. Thus, in the event that section 100 is causedto alter its orientation when faceplate 20 c is docked, faceplate 20 cwill remain docked with faceplate dock 40, and will not dislodge fromfaceplate dock 40 simply due to the force of gravity. Faceplate 20 c mayengage faceplate dock 40 by way of one or more resilient clips or snaps,pins or screws, or even simple friction.

Regardless of how faceplate 20 c engages faceplate dock 40, faceplate 20c and faceplate dock 40 are designed such that a user may repeatedlyengage and disengage the two. It is preferred that when faceplate 20 cis docked, it is also electrically connected to at least one controllerin section 100. Electrically connecting faceplate 20 c to at least onecontroller in section 100 allows faceplate 20 c to communicate with thecontroller or controllers of section 100 in the same way as controlpanel 20 a does in the aforementioned embodiments. Electricallyconnecting faceplate 20 c to section 100 also provides a system by whichsection 100 may transfer power to faceplate 20 c.

Once removed from section 100, as shown in FIGS. 5A, it is contemplatedthat the faceplate 20 c may be used to control various aspects ofsection 100 and/or section 200. Faceplate 20 c thus includes a signalemitter (not shown) and section 100 includes a signal receiver (notshown). In use, a patient, for example, actuates inputs, such as buttonsor a touch screen, on faceplate 20 c causing faceplate 20 c to emit asignal which is received by the receiver in section 100 and communicatedto one or more controllers (not shown) in section 100. When section 200is docked as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3C and 4B, the signal receivedby the receiver in section 100, or a signal generated by a controller insection 100 in response to the signal received by the receiver insection 100 may be transmitted to section 200 and used to controlelements of section 200. Alternately, section 200 may be equipped withits own separate receiver for receiving signals emitted from faceplate20 c and may receive signals and control section 200 either while dockedor not docked. It should be appreciated that, section 200 may include asignal emitter and be used as a remote control, in which case controlpanel 20 b would contain all of the controls necessary for controllingthe operation of section 100, as described with reference to FIGS. 2Athrough 2C.

It is contemplated that the receiver in section 100 that receives thesignals from faceplate 20 c may be a separate component connected to theone or more controllers by wiring, or may be integrated with at leastone of the controllers of section 100. Likewise if section 200 isequipped with a receiver, the receiver of section 200 may be a separatecomponent connected to the one or more controllers in section 200 bywiring, or may be integrated with at least one of the controllers ofsection 200. Preferably, each receiver and the signals emitted byfaceplate 20 c are each coded and match such that the faceplate 20 conly controls one therapy device having the matching receiver orreceivers. The receipt, generation and emission of coded signals forwireless communication between electronics is well known in the art ofwireless communication and is particularly important for devices used inhospitals to prevent unwanted cross communication.

It should be appreciated that, in an embodiment utilizing section 200 asa remote control, section 200 is equipped with a signal emitter andsection 100 includes a signal receiver as described above. Once removedfrom dock 30, actuation of the control panel 20 b on section 200 causesthe signal emitter to emit a signal, preferably coded, that is receivedby a receiver in section 100. One or more controllers utilize the signalreceived from section 200 to execute control functions and control theoperation of section 100.

In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 5B, section 100 may be equippedwith a separate remote control 20 d. The remote control may communicatewith sections 100 and/or 200 either wirelessly or by wire to section100. In either case, when activated by a user, the remote control 20 demits a signal that is received by the controller of section 100 and/orthe controller of section 200. In embodiments utilizing a wirelessremote control 20 d, it should be appreciated that, at least section 100is equipped with a signal receiver that communicates with the controllerof section 100. Additionally, section 200 may include a signal receiveras described above. Operation of the remote control 20 d causes thesignal emitter of the remote control 20 d to emit a signal, preferablycoded, that is received by a receiver in section 100. One or morecontrollers utilize the signal received to execute control functions andcontrol the operation of section 100 and/or section 200.

Referring now to FIG. 6, preferably, docking station 30 of section 100(not shown) and section 200 further includes one or more rails 50 andrail guides 51 respectively. In the embodiment depicted, the rails 50 ofsection 100 fit within the rail guides 51 of section 200 such thatsection 200 slides in an out of the docking station 30 along the rails50. Section 200 also includes additional groove 52 extending upward fromthe rail guides 51. Section 100 includes a resilient clip, the preferredstructure and operation of which is described in further detail below.In general, when section 200 is inserted into docking station 30, therail guides 51 slide along rails 50 until it reaches the dockedposition.

When section 200 is in the docked position, the resilient clip willengage section 200 and prevent section 200 from being withdrawn fromdocking station 30. To remove section 200 after placing it in dockedposition, the resilient clip must be disengaged. Actuation of a release,such as a button or switch, located on the exterior of section 200releases the resilient clip, thereby allowing section 200 to be removedfrom station 30.

The preferred resilient clip is a releasable lock, which will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 6-9. According to the preferredembodiment, a releasable lock 60 is mounted to structural elements ofsection 100, such as the structure surrounding the cavity of the dockingstation 30. For explanatory purposes, the overall structure of section100 is not shown in FIGS. 6-9, and the structure surrounding the cavityof the docking station 30 is not shown in FIGS. 7-9. Releasable lock 60includes a wheel 61 having a lock surface 71, an exterior eccentricallymounted pin 62, an interior eccentrically mounted pin 63, a lever arm64, a button 65 and a pawl 66. The lever arm 64 includes a case 67pivotally mounted to a structure of section 100. Case 67 holds aresilient material 68 a, such as a spring, and allows for a piston 69 totravel up and down its length. Piston 69 is pivotally mounted to wheel61 and biased in the direction of arrow 80 a by resilient material 68 a.Similarly, pawl 66 is biased in the direction of arrow 80 b by resilientmaterial 68 b while button 65 is biased in the direction of arrow 80 cby resilient material 68 c.

As discussed above, when section 200 is inserted into docking cavity 30,it slides along rails 50. As section 200 approaches the docked position,preferably within the final one inch of the docked position, pin 63begins to engage groove 52. As section 200 moves further into thedocking station, pin 63 traverses groove 52 and wheel 71 is forced inthe counter clockwise direction. Movement of the wheel in the counterclockwise direction causes piston 69 to compress resilient material 68a, thereby building potential energy in resilient material 68 a.Continuing to push section 200 into the docking station forces the leverarm 64 past the neutral (nine o'clock) position. Once the lever arm 64is past the neutral position, the potential energy in the resilientmaterial 68 a is released, the piston 69 is forced in the direction ofarrow 80 a, the wheel is forced to rotate further in the counterclockwise direction, pin 63 fully engages groove 52 and pawl 66 (biasedin the direction of arrow 80 b by resilient material 68 b) engages thelock surface 71. As shown in FIGS. 7-10, lock surface 71 issubstantially “L” shaped, and pawl 66 includes a substantially squaredend that engages lock surface 71, preventing wheel 61 from traveling inthe clockwise direction while pawl 66 and lock surface 71 are engaged.It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that most anyshape of lock surface and corresponding pawl end shape could beutilized. With the pin 63 engaged with groove 52 and pawl 66 engagedwith lock surface 71, section 200 is locked in the docked position.

To release the releasable lock 60 and enable the removal of section 200from the docking station, button 65 is depressed. Depressing button 65causes surface 72 to contact pawl 66, push pawl 66 in a directionopposite that of arrow 80 b and disengage pawl 66 from lock surface 71thereby permitting wheel 61 to move in the clockwise direction.Depressing button 75 also causes bracket 73 to apply pressure to pin 62,forcing pin 62 and wheel 61 to move in the clockwise direction. Movingpin 62 from the essentially three o'clock position that it maintainswhile section 200 is in the docked position in the clockwise directionforces piston 69 to likewise move in the clockwise direction, therebycompressing resilient material 68 a and building potential energy inresilient material 68 a. As button 65 continues to be depressed, piston69 passes the neutral position, the potential energy stored in resilientmaterial 68 a is released, piston 69 forces wheel 61 further in theclockwise direction which in turn causes pin 63 to apply pressure togroove 52 thereby disengaging section 200 from the docking station.Preferably, sufficient pressure is applied by pin 63 to groove 52 toeject section 200 by approximately one inch, freeing section 200 fromthe releasable lock 60. Once disengaged, section 200 may be freely slidout of docking station 200.

In addition to securing section 200 in docking station 30, engaging thereleasable lock 60 brings section 200 into electrical contact withsection 100. As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C, sections100 and 200 may include respective electrical contact plugs such as 26 aand 26 b. As depicted in FIGS. 7 through 9, in the preferred embodiment,section 100 includes a board having electrical contact 90 a whilesection 200 includes corresponding electrical contact 90 b. Electricalcontact 90 a is connected to plug 81 which is in turn connected to acontroller of section 100 through wiring (not shown). Preferably thecontacts are utilized to transfer both power and data between section100 and section 200. Electrical contact 90 a includes multiple pins 91a, 92 a, 93 a, 94 a, 95 a and 96 a. It should be appreciated thatalthough six pins are shown, any number of pins could be utilized. Whensection 200 is docked with section 100, electrical contacts 90 a and 90b are in electrical communication with each other.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the preferred structure of the electricalcontacts will be explained. As shown, section 200 includes electricalcontact 90 b. 90 b multiple electrical contact pads 91 b, 92 b, 93 b, 94b, 95 b and 96 b corresponding to the pins 91 a, 92 a, 93 a, 94 a, 95 aand 96 a of electrical contact 90 a. In the preferred embodiment eitherthe pins or contact pads or both are reliantly biased to extendoutwardly. That is, the pins are resiliently biased to extend in thedirection of arrow 97 while the contact pads are resiliently biased toextend in the direction of arrow 98. Furthermore, it is preferred thatone pin or one contact pad exhibits greater dimensions than all otherrespective pins and contact pads such that the greater dimensions causeone pin and one contact pad to establish a first electrical connection,which allows for electrical communication between the contact pad andpin, prior to any other pin or contact pad.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, contact pad 91 b is longer than eachof contact pads 92 b, 93 b, 94 b, 95 b and 96 b. Thus, when section 200is docked with section 100, contact pad 91 b establishes an electricalconnection with corresponding pin 91 a before any other contact pad orpin establish an electrical connection. Also, due to the resilientbiasing, pin 91 a and contact pad 91 b will likewise be the last pin andcontact pad to break their electrical connection when section 200 isundocked and separated from section 100. Preferably the electricalconnection between 91 a and 91 b is the ground connection betweensection 200 and section 100. According to the preferred embodiment justdescribed, when section 200 is docked and undocked with section 100, aground connection will be established first and broken last therebyhelping to prevent unwanted electrical surges and communications betweensections 100 and 200 that may damage the controls of either section.

It should be appreciated that each of the embodiments described hereinmay include one or more memories for storing data, such as data relatingto the operation of the various sections 100 and 200 respectively.Although the present invention has been described in terms of thepreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure isnot intended to be limiting. Various alterations and modifications willbe readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, it isintended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering allalterations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A compression and thermal application device comprising: a firstsection including a reservoir a liquid pump, a thermal exchange system,at least one port in fluid communication with said reservoir, a firstsection controller for controlling the operation of the liquid pump andthermal exchange system, and a first electrical connection plug; asecond section, physically separate from said first section, includingan air compressor, at least one port in fluid communication with saidair compressor, a second section controller for controlling theoperation of the air compressor, and a second electrical connectionplug; wherein said first section further includes a dock, said dockdefining a cavity that accommodates said second section such that saidcavity exhibits a shape corresponding to the shape of the second sectionsuch that said second section may only be docked within said cavity in asingle orientation and wherein said dock includes said first electricalconnection plug; said first electrical connection plug and said secondelectrical connection plug being oriented such that when said secondsection is docked in said dock of said first section, said firstelectrical connection plug and said second electrical connection plugare in electrical communication. 2-20. (canceled)
 21. A compression andthermal application device as in claim 1 wherein said second sectionincludes a control panel in electrical communication with said secondsection controller.
 22. A compression and thermal application device asin claim 1 wherein one or more of said first section controller and saidsecond section controller controls the operation of said air compressor,said liquid pump and said thermal exchange system when said firstelectrical connection plug and said second electrical connection plugare connected.
 23. A compression and thermal application device as setforth in claim 1 further comprising: a first removable memory connectedto said first section controller and a second removable memory connectedto said second section controller, at least one of said memories beingadapted to store data respecting the operation of said first sectioncontroller, said second section controller, said thermal transfersystem, said liquid pump or said air compressor.
 24. A compression andthermal application device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said firstelectrical contact and said second electrical contact each include aplurality of individual contacts and wherein one individual contact ofthe plurality of individual contacts of either the first electricalcontact or the second electrical contact is a unique contact which has adimension greater than the corresponding dimension of each of the otherindividual contacts of the electrical contact that the unique contact isincluded with such that as said first electrical contact and said secondelectrical contact are disconnected, a final connection between saidfirst electrical contact and said second electrical contact occursbetween said unique contact and at least one other individual contact.25. A compression and thermal application device as set forth in claim 1wherein: said first electrical contact and said second electricalcontact each include a plurality of individual contacts and wherein oneindividual contact of the plurality of individual contacts of either thefirst electrical contact or the second electrical contact is a uniquecontact which has a dimension greater than the corresponding dimensionof each of the other individual contacts of the electrical contact thatthe unique contact is included with and wherein at least one individualcontact included on the electrical contact that does not include saidunique contact is a resiliently biased individual contact that isresiliently biased in a direction toward said unique contact when saidsecond section is docked with said first section such that as said firstelectrical contact and said second electrical contact are disconnected,a final connection between said first electrical contact and said secondelectrical contact occurs between said unique contact and said at leastone resiliently biased individual contact.
 26. A compression and thermalapplication device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: A firstsection having a dock, said dock defining a cavity that accommodatessaid second section; a resilient clip connected to said first sectionsuch that said resilient clip engages said second section when saidsecond section is docked in said first section.
 27. A compression andthermal application device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cavityengages said second section when said second section is docked withinsaid cavity.
 28. A compression and thermal application devicecomprising: a first section including a reservoir, a liquid pump, athermal exchange system, at least one port in fluid communication withsaid reservoir, a first section controller, a first section controlpanel and a first electrical connection plug; a second section,physically separate from said first section, including an aircompressor, at least one port in fluid communication with said aircompressor, a second section controller, a second section control panelin electrical communication with at least said second sectioncontroller, and a second electrical connection plug wherein said secondelectrical connection plug is removably connected to, and in electricalcommunication with, said first electrical connection plug; wherein saidfirst section further includes: a dock, said dock defining a cavityhaving an opening that accommodates said second section such that whensaid second section is docked, said dock prevents access to said secondsection control panel; and wherein said at least one port of said secondsection is located on said second section such that when said secondsection is docked, said at least one port is exposed and accessiblethrough said cavity
 28. A compression and thermal application device asin claim 28 wherein said first section control panel is in electricalcommunication with said first electrical connection plug, said secondelectrical connection plug and at least said second section controllerwhen said first electrical connection plug and said second electricalconnection plug are connected together such that one or more controlcommands input on said first section control panel directed to theoperation of the thermal exchange system in the first section and theair compressor in the second section will be sent to the first sectioncontroller and said first section controller will control the operationof the thermal exchange system in response to at least one controlcommand while said first section controller sends a control commanddirected to the operation of the air compressor in said second sectionto said second section controller such that said second sectioncontroller then controls the operation of said air compressor in saidsection in accordance with said control command.
 29. A compression andthermal application device as in claim 28 wherein wherein said secondsection engages said first section when said second section is dockedwith said first section.
 30. A compression and thermal applicationdevice as set forth in claim 28 further comprising: a first removablememory connected to said first section controller and a second removablememory connected to said second section controller, at least one of saidmemories being adapted to store data respecting the operation of saidfirst section controller, said second section controller, said thermaltransfer system, said liquid pump or said air compressor.
 31. Acompression and thermal application device as in claim 28 wherein saidfirst section further includes a dock said dock defining a cavity thataccommodates said second section; and wherein said first sectionincludes one or more resilient clips, snaps, pins or screws that engagesaid second section when said second section is docked with said firstsection.
 32. A method of storing a compression and thermal applicationdevice that comprises a first section including a dock, at least onefirst section port, a reservoir, a thermal exchange system, a liquidpump, a first section controller that control the operation of theliquid pump and thermal exchange system and a first section controlpanel in electrical communication with said first section controller; asecond section including at least one second section port, a secondsection air compressor, one or more second controllers that control theoperation of said air compressor and a second section control panel inelectrical communication with said one or more second controllerswherein said dock accommodates said second section comprising: insertingsaid second section into said dock of said first section such that saidsecond section engages said dock and said dock covers said secondsection control panel.